Kitchen design is all about efficiency. A cleverly organized galley kitchen will make all your culinary endeavors all that more streamlined and enjoyable. What is a galley kitchen, you may ask? In short, this design has one of the most functional layouts possible, allowing you to maximize storage, save space, and make cooking a breeze. So whether you are doing a full remodel, looking for a fairly straightforward DIY upgrade, or are starting from scratch, read this guide to learn more about galley kitchens and how you could benefit from having one in your home.

What Is a Galley Kitchen?

A galley kitchen (also known as a corridor kitchen) is a reference to the compact kitchenettes typically found on ships, airplanes, and railway dining cars. In the household, these long and narrow cooking areas are usually made of two parallel workstations that form a long walk-way or corridor within the kitchen. Typically, one row of base cabinets and countertops will feature the stove and oven, while the opposite side has the prepping and cleaning fixtures (counters, dishwasher, and sink) – though this 'working triangle' layout may vary, galley kitchens are designed to have everything within easy reach, so you don't have to travel large distances with hot pans or dishes coming off the stove or out of the oven. Instead you'll be able to enjoy a stress-free cooking experience. Your appliances, storage, and preparation spaces are all just a few steps of one another. Many galley kitchens also have a strong focus on the use of vertical space, particularly with tall upper cabinets that often extend to the ceiling (this includes pantries).

Tip!

If you are DIY-ing your kitchen, read our guide Kitchen Cabinet Sizes: Which Are Right for Your Space? to discover what sizes and designs are best for you.

Where to Use a Galley Kitchen

Their narrow floor plan makes galley kitchens ideal for small homes, apartments with a limited footprint, and even old homes where open-concept or L-shaped designs aren't possible. Additionally, galley kitchens work great in guest houses, mobile homes, and even as second kitchens, since they provide everything you need in a compact size. That being said, it's entirely possible to use a galley kitchen in a larger modern home, giving you more free space to use in other areas of the house.

Galley Kitchen Layouts

As long as you ensure your basic 'work triangle' (sink, oven, and fridge) are all grouped within close proximity of one another, it should be fairly easy to design a functional galley kitchen floor plan. We explain the two most common layouts below:

Dead End: There is only one way in and out of this kitchen, a layout which helps to reduce foot traffic and adds an extra wall to the end of the room. That wall can be used for cabinets or have a window installed to allow natural light in.

Pass-Through: This layout features two entrances on opposite sides of the kitchen. This allows you to more easily pass through the space. Note: this means an increase in foot traffic (which isn't always ideal when cooking), as well as a reduction in the amount of usable wall and storage space.

Since the parallel sides don't need to be identical, it's also possible to create the look and feel of a galley kitchen in a larger space by using an island to serve as one of the parallel units.

Tip!

If your galley kitchen has a window, try to use the sill as extra shelving with storage baskets to maintain a neat look.

Pros & Cons of a Galley Kitchen

Below are a few pros and cons on why a galley kitchen may or may not be for you.

Pros

They provide the most functional and efficient layout for cooking – the "working triangle" in particular creates the best flow.This means everything is more easily accessible and ergonomic, since the key services are close together.

• The clustered services means plumbers and electricians can more easily service or install appliances.
• The cost of building a galley kitchen is lower since you will require fewer and smaller counters, less cabinets, and less flooring to furnish that limited space.
• The lowered building cost also means your budget is freed up to be spent on other appliances and finishes like backsplash tile and ceiling lights.
• The galley kitchen is a DIY-friendly style that only requires the simple layout of two banks of upper and lower cabinets, as well as countertops.
• Since they save space, galley kitchens are ideal for smaller homes. Their small footprint means you can maximize and utilize more living space in other rooms.
• Their compact size means they are quicker and easier to clean.
• They are designed to maximize storage space – especially vertical storage.

Cons

• Unlike more open-concept kitchens, the galley design doesn't allow for too many people in the space, making it less of a social area when entertaining and more of a closed-off location.
• It can feel small because of the long and narrow design.
• Large or extra-large appliances are not suitable for a galley kitchen.
• Clutter can build up quickly in these spaces, reducing the functional counter space.
• The layout options for a galley kitchen are fairly limited.

How to Decorate a Galley Kitchen

Galley kitchens often come with the stigma of being too small or narrow, but the truth is that you can quite easily give the illusion of a larger space while using the layout. Here are a few ideas to help you out.

Plan Layouts Carefully: Consider placing the stovetop and refrigerator on opposite sides to make the space feel larger.

Choose Light Colors: Choose a neutral color palette to increase the visual size of your galley kitchen. Whites and beiges on the floors, walls, and cabinetry will all do the trick.

Keep It Simple: Utilize simple lines without too many adornments. TAgain, this means sleek appliances and services with a streamlined feel. A smaller sink will also free up more counter space.

Select Small Appliances: Pick standard- or smaller-sized appliances with limited profiles to keep from taking up too much countertop space. You should also put away any of the larger items that you don't use regularly.

Prioritize Storage: Keep your galley kitchen as clutter-free and organized as possible. Messiness creates visual weight that will reduce the feeling of space. Use baskets and place them on shelves and in cabinets to keep clutter out of the way and contained.

Emphasize Natural Light: Take advantage of any windows that allow in natural light. Remove curtains or blinds and allow the beams to illuminate the space. Alternatively, add a window into the galley kitchen for the same reason.

Now you have your answer to the question "what is a galley kitchen?", you can decide if you want one in your house and begin shopping to decorate it in the most effective way possible.

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